Wanting to build the Bleriot XI aircraft that crossed the English Channel, I searched for blueprints off it. I have run into a little problem.

Attached are two blueprints of the Bleriot XI. I don't know which variation is the correct one. I want to use the one that crossed the English Channel. Notice the wheel structure and the body is a little different.

Please, NO google it. I have already tried that.

One more question, I am going to build the body out of blasa wood and-I think- the wing out off foam. I am also going to use a 250 size electric motor. Looking at some other aircraft on the market, I am thinking about making the wingspan 38 in to 40 in. Any suggestions on size would help-this will be my first attempt of making a radio control airplane from scratch.

In that picture, the wheel struts connected at the front of the wing. The problem is I have seen pictures with the wheel struts connected at the middle of the wing. I don't know who to believe. I want it to look like the one that cross the channel.

I wouldn't know a detail like that, either. If I really wanted to know that kind of a detail, in my case, I'd go check at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, but I'm here in San Diego. Don't know where you're at, maybe there's an aviation museum with a library and people there to help?

You gotta love these early machines, as the photos are only so good, and sometimes few. I spent a good while reviewing photos and drawings for my Avro Type F built here recently, and realized that only one of the drawings was mostly correct, and still needing correction. The recently built replica is not correct either, making it a less than perfect resource. If the wikipedia museum Bleriot XI is the actual plane that crossed the channel, then it should be a great resource. Otherwise, I don't trust them as far as I can throw them.

Hi j3df Please Enter your build in the $50.00 Scratch Build Contest, You can start the build now and you will have 60 days to get it done, a 38 to 40 inch wing span will work out great on that plane, Take care, Chellie

Wanting to build the Bleriot XI aircraft that crossed the English Channel, I searched for blueprints off it. I have run into a little problem.

Attached are two blueprints of the Bleriot XI. I don't know which variation is the correct one. I want to use the one that crossed the English Channel. Notice the wheel structure and the body is a little different.

Please, NO google it. I have already tried that.

One more question, I am going to build the body out of blasa wood and-I think- the wing out off foam. I am also going to use a 250 size electric motor. Looking at some other aircraft on the market, I am thinking about making the wingspan 38 in to 40 in. Any suggestions on size would help-this will be my first attempt of making a radio control airplane from scratch.

Thanks a bunch,J3dF

you will need to use a bigger motor than a 250, a 400 size motor will be better, the 250 Motor might not have enough power to get it airborn. Hope that helps, Chellie